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Music Forms: Binary & Ternary

This document summarizes common musical forms including binary, ternary, and rounded binary forms. It defines musical form as the overall organization of a composition into sections defined by features such as harmony, themes, and texture. Binary form consists of two sections that are usually repeated. Ternary form consists of three sections with the outer sections being the same. Rounded binary form resembles ternary form with two large repeated sections and recurrence of the first section's material in the second section. Composite forms use smaller forms within a larger overall structure. Visual charts are used to understand the formal structure of a piece.

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122 views3 pages

Music Forms: Binary & Ternary

This document summarizes common musical forms including binary, ternary, and rounded binary forms. It defines musical form as the overall organization of a composition into sections defined by features such as harmony, themes, and texture. Binary form consists of two sections that are usually repeated. Ternary form consists of three sections with the outer sections being the same. Rounded binary form resembles ternary form with two large repeated sections and recurrence of the first section's material in the second section. Composite forms use smaller forms within a larger overall structure. Visual charts are used to understand the formal structure of a piece.

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Garrison Gerard
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MUS 271

SUMMARY OF SMALL FORMS BINARY & TERNARY


(TMG, Ch. 23)
MUSICAL FORM overall organization of a composition into sections, defined by harmonic
structure as well as by changes in (or a return to) a theme, texture, instrumentation, rhythm, or
other feature.
*Note* Uppercase letters are used to designate sections of materials, while lowercase
letters are used for phrases.
BINARY FORM a composition organized into two sections, with each usually repeated.
simple binary
or
balanced binary

A A

A A A A

A B

A A B B

A (ending) A (ending) = A (end) A (end) A (end) A (end)

TONAL STRUCTURES IN BINARY FORMS


sectional the first section stays in tonic (no modulation or tonicization)
major keys: I to I (PAC)

minor keys: i to i (PAC)

continuous the first section typically modulates or ends on a half cadence


major keys: I modulates to V
I to tonicized V
I to HC (V)

minor keys:

i
i
i
i

modulates to III
modulates to v
tonicized III
to HC (V)

The second section will end in the tonic key.

TERNARY FORM a composition organized into three sections, with each usually repeated.
simple ternary:
or

A B A or A B A
A B A

A A B B A A

(over)

p. 2

ROUNDED BINARY FORM a composition organized into two large sections, with each
usually repeated. The recurrance of the A material provides a resemblance to ternary
form.
rounded binary
or

b a

a a

ba ba

A B A

A A BA BA

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES larger musical structures which use sectional forms on two or
more levels.
composite ternary: larger, overall three-part structure, in which section is itself
comprises a small form (usually binary or rounded binary)
examples: dance movements (Minuet/Trio, Minuet 1/Minuet 2, Scherzo/Trio, etc.)
some types of da Capo works (arias, instrumental pieces)
Examples of other composite structures:
rags & marches
examples:

Sousa, The Stars and Stripes Forever


Sousa, The Washington Post March
Joplin, Pine Apple Rag

(cont.)

p. 3

VISUAL CHART for SECTIONAL FORMS


A visual chart is often useful in understanding the formal structure of musical works; it provides
a tool for seeing the big picture. The model we will use is based on seven items:
Section

The large parts of the piece (uppercase letters). Other words may
be needed above for compound structures.

Phrase

The phrase-level structures (lowercase letters).

Measure No.

The beginning of phrases/sections.

Key

The key at the beginning of phrases/sections. Squiggly lines


indicate movement away from the current key.

Cadence

The type of cadence at the ends of phrases/sections. Place it at


the end.

Modulation

The type of modulation. Place it at the approximate point at


which the modulation occurs.

Other

Other characteristics of the music: significant dynamic mark,


textures, dramatic elements, etc.

Some pieces are simple, and the corresponding chart will contain a minimal amount of
information. Larger and longer pieces will have more information, and the chart will allow you
to see patterns and compositional techniques that may have been overlooked.
EXAMPLE FORMS:
binary, ternary, rounded binary, rondo, composite ternary, composite rondo

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